163 



Since the advent and alarming increase of the Eng 

 lish Sparrow, it is not iinnsnal for the Sharp-shinned 

 Hawk to pay occasional visits to towns and villages 

 wliere lie should be heartily welcomed for the destrnc- 

 lion he causes among these featliered pests. 



Dr. A. K. Fisher very properly says: 



"Little can be said in favor of this hawk, althuugh its dar- 

 ing courage and impudence are to be admired. On this and 

 the two following species (Cooper's Hawk and Goshawk) 

 mainly rest the responsibility for the ill-favor with which 

 the other hawks are regarded. A score of valuable species 

 suffer because they belong to a class which includes two or 

 three noxious kinds. However, like most villains, it has at 

 least one redeeming quality, and that is its fondness for the 

 English Sparrow, our imported bird nuisance." 



SOME SMALL BIRDS IT DEVOURS. 



The Sharp-shinned Hawk is known to kill and feed 

 upon the following species of small wild birds which 

 are common in tliis State: 



Meadow Lark, Red-headed Woodpecker. 



Common Robin, Cat Bird, 



Crow Blackbird, English Sparrow, 



Cow Blackbird, Song Sparrow. 



Blue Bird, Tree Sparrow, 



Flicker, Snow Bird, 



Downy Woodpecker, Fox Sparrow, 



Goldfinch, Chipping Sparrow, 



Savanna Sparrow, Orchard Oriole. 



Baltimore Oriole, White-throated Sparrow, 



Chickadee. Brown Thrush, 



Hermit Thrush, Myrtle Warbler, 



Red Eyed Vireo, Common Pewee. 

 Black Throated Green Warbler, Oven Bird. 

 Red-winged Blackbird, 



This list could be considerably enlarged, as there are 

 many other kinds of birds which different observers 

 have idendfied among the stomach contents of this 

 hawk. Tlie list is, liowever. sntficiently large to give 

 (he general reader a very dear idea that the Sharp- 

 sliinn<>d is cvci" ready to rapture and prey upon almost 



